Abdominal supporter



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. STEINMETZ. ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

' No. 464,738. Patented Dec. 8, 1891.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

F. STEINMETZ.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

Patented Dec. 8

THE Mums runs 00., Panto-mum, wnsmucrqn, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

FRANCES STEINMETZ, OF MIIAVAUKEE, \VISCONSIN.

ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 464,738, dated December 8, 1891.

' Application filed July 15, 1889. Serial No. 317,561. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCES STEINMETZ, of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee, and in the State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Abdominal Trusses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to abdominal trusses, and will be fully described hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a partly-sectional front View of my improved truss, and Fig. 2 is a broken vertical section. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, and Fig. 4 is a perspective View, of said truss, the device being shown in its actual position when in use in all the views.

My improved device is designed to support the abdomen without discomfort, and especially to prevent pressure of the groin-straps against the lips of the external female genital organs, as well as to obviate all chafing of said organs, and to constantly keep the said groin-straps away therefrom, irrespective of the position of the wearer of the truss at any time, which objects are attained by the construction which I will now proceed to describe.

A is the back-band, and B B are the trusspads which fit up against and support the abdomen and which are connected to each other by the webbing O.

D D represent straps connected to the pads B and secured to the back-band A by means of buckles a a, as shown, the inclination of these straps in use being clearly shown in the several views of the drawings.

E E are the groin-straps, each of which is secured by a buckle c to the back-band A and which pass down (one on each side of the spine when the truss is in use) under the body and between the thighs of the wearer, and thence brought up in front, one on each side of the externallips of the female genital organ, and the front ends of these straps (which like the rear ends are provided with series of perforations for nicety in adj ustment) engage with hooks b b, projecting from the front of the pads 13 B. These groin-straps E E are provided with pads F F, (filled with hair,) and on the back or under side of each pad F there is a loop d, which receives the rounded portion e of each of the leg-straps G,

said straps being provided with buckles f, as shown.

In order that the operation and advantage of my device may be clearly understood, I have deemed it necessary to illustrate fully in the drawings the adjacent portions of the body of the wearer.

In Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that by reason of the leg-straps G being secured to the lowest portions of the groin-straps Ebeneath the pads F, and, further, by reason of the said leg -straps E being horizontal straps, each strap E is always held down away from the external lips of the female genital organs and against the inside of the wearers thigh, thus insuring that the said organs shall always be absolutely free from contact with the said groin-straps, whereas in the absence of such lower horizontal leg-straps the tendency of the groin-straps is always inward and upward, thereby not only crowding against the lips of the said organs, but frequently getting in the crease or opening between them and subjecting the wearer to much chafing and discomfort, all of which is obviated by my device.

The relative positions of the pad F and strap G are best shown in Fig. 2, wherein it is seen that there is no upward contact, and hence with my improved device the abdomen is firmly supported without any inconvenience from the straps thereof.

Another marked advantage of my device is the increased freedom of motion arising from the fact that there is no pressure on the swell of the hips, all straps being above and below this point, and by reason of the leg-straps G passing loosely through the loops d the adjustment of the device will not be disturbed by any lateral or torsional movement of the legs of the wearer.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an abdominal truss, the combination, with padded groin-straps, of horizontal legstraps secured at the lowest point of said groinstraps beneath said pads and adapted to be buckled around the thighs of the wearer beneath the swell of the hips, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an abdominal truss, the combination,

with the back-band and truss-pads and straps for connecting them above the swell of the wearers hips, of the groin-straps adapted to pass under the wearers body and adj ustably secured to said back-band and truss-pads, groin-pads on the inner side of said groinstraps, and loops on the outer or under side thereof, and leg-straps passing through said loops at the lowest point of said groin-straps and adapted tobebnckled horizontallyaround the legs of the wearer beneath the swell of the hips, whereby said groin and leg straps are always kept away from contact with the genital organs of the wearer, substantially as setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand, at Milwaukeefln the county of Milwaukee and State of \Visconsin, in the presence of two Witnesses.

FRANCES STEINMETZ.

"Witnesses:

S. S. STOUT, WILLIAM KLUG. 

